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“How are you, Admiral? Doing well?” Howe asked, as we walked together towards the naval office of Portsmouth.
As George’s family and I began our trek down to the office, the older sisters of the class began to walk behind me, talking amongst each other about all kinds of things, catching up for lost time. HMS Howe, however, decided to welcome her commanding officer to the job instead of talking to George. Well, I guess she can always catch up later.
Over the month-long trip, I’d talked to George just about as many times as I could, hoping to make the journey seem a little less arduous. George’s sisters was one of many talks, with her describing her sisters’ personality and what they were like. Howe was a unique one in George’s eyes, seeing her as more of a little sister than a respectable comrade. Considering Howe’s personality though, I can see why. Out of the class, the older sisters including Monarch were more of the proper lady, rather than the cutesy girl. Howe was a unique mix of both, being an elegant woman of the Royal Navy, but also being quite the normal girl in everyday appearances. No wonder George considered her unique, I thought.
“Yeah, I’m not too bad. Just a little nervous about the prospects of the job, but she’ll be right.” I replied. A smile grew on Howe’s face as we walked along.
“That’s good to hear. I did bring a biscuit for you, if you want one~” Howe said, as she pulled out a ziplock bag of biscuits. From the looks, she tried her hand at ANZAC biscuits, and they looked phenomenal.
“Tried your hand at ANZAC bikkies, have ya?” I replied, digging into the bag and pulling one out. After a second of looking at it, I put it in my mouth, taking a single bite. It tasted delicious. Just as George said, Howe’s cookies really were amazing.
Howe, not saying anything, watched in anticipation as I ate the bikkie, A smile and giggle coming from her lips upon my visible satisfaction at the taste of her biscuit. After a second, Howe replied.
“I thought that, since you’re so far from home, that I’d bring a little home to you. I hope you’re happy with them?” Howe answered back. As a connoisseur of ANZAC biscuits, I can assure you, these were some of the best I’d had in a very long time. Howe really was the baker of the family, as George was quick to state many times.
“Well, I thank you for that.” We began to enter the building, with me opening the door for Howe and the other King George V-class sisters. One by one, each sister walked into the facility, shooting me a short smile as they went by. As I entered, I noticed that the entrance was massive, almost like a hotel lobby, with an elegant and opulent look to the interior. Say what you want about monarchies, they look damn good when they design something.
I looked around the room, analysing my surroundings. I couldn’t believe just how big this room really was. As my attention was focused on the building, I heard a voice shout out from the distance, coming from a tea table.
“Oi! You’ve been keeping me waiting for too long!” The voice practically screamed at me, before getting up out of her seat and marching towards me, with two other figures in tow. I looked upon the figures, noticing that the loud one had a crown on her head.
Oh no, that’s Queen Elizabeth, isn’t it?
“I apologise, your Majesty. The journey took longer than expected, I should have notified you earlier.” George quickly interjects, bowing to the loud queen with a hand on her heart. George had always established her intense loyalty to the queen of the Royal Navy, but to see it in person… was a totally different experience. She even made me wonder if I should start doing the same, for respect towards the queen. Fuck that, I say in my head, I’m not bendin’ the knee for anyone.
“Hmm! I shall accept your apology, George. But you!” She shouted as she pointed at me, moving closer towards me.
Ah fuck me, I quietly utter.
“I’ve been meaning to meet with you for a long time.” She says, looking me up and down before continuing, “Queen Elizabeth, Queen of the Royal Navy. I thought you’d be a little more… competent, but I suppose that’s my fault for expecting something great from a commoner.” And there it is. God, I just love monarchies.
“I apologise that I haven’t met your expectations, but I hope that I can impress you, given I have the time to.” I replied. I could have easily whipped out some choice sayings from good ole’ ‘Straya, but I decided that a good reputation was better than being snarky. Afterall, I was going to be the admiral of her fleet, I probably should try to set up a relationship first.
“Hmm!” Was her response. A favourite of hers, it seems.
“I apologise, Admiral Price. Her Majesty just has high expectations for an admiral of her fleet, so she’s just a bit on edge about your abilities, as I’m sure you can understand.” One of the other figures interjected. She was about the same height as Queen Elizabeth, with a weird hairdo. Why did she look like a corgi?
“It’s fine. I understand fully.” I replied, holding my hand out for her to shake it. “Admiral Aethelstan Price, you are…?” I respectfully asked.
The figure smiled, before shaking my hand. “H.M.S Warspite, of the Royal Navy.” She responded. So glad she clarified she was a Royal Navy ship, I couldn’t have guessed from the British accent.
Eventually, we all decided to sit down at the tea table, all of George’s sisters joining us, as we all had tea together. I’m not exactly a tea connoisseur, but the black tea on offer was simply delicious. As we sat at the table, the maids providing the food and drinks, we talked about the weather and day to day life in Australia. All in all, nothing productive to my work, but it was a nice change of pace. Afterall, tomorrow was really the big day, with me officially starting the job.
As the tea time came to a close, I decided to retire to my bedroom, with Queen Elizabeth walking with me the whole way. I have to admit, she had grown on me over the tea party, but I still was a bit pissed from the welcome she gave me. Eventually, we make it to my room, with Elizabeth giving her classic goodbye, before closing the door. I laid in the room for a long while, taking in the events of the day and the past month. Just then, a knock came at the door.
“Excuse me, but may I come in?” A voice came through the door.
“You may.” I replied. A woman walked in, with beautiful blond hair and blue eyes. With almost a natural elegance, she opened and closed the door without much noise, before turning to face me, a smile crossing her face. I’d met her at the tea party, but she’d always been a quiet figure. I guess this was her own time to talk to me, privately.
“Sorry for the intrusion. I’m Lady Hood, we met at the tea party, with her Majesty?” She stated, trying to jog my memory.
“Yeah, I remember. Any particular reason you wanted to talk about, or did you just want a chat?” I curiously asked.
“I just wanted to chat more privately. More specifically, I wanted to give you a more warm welcome to Azur Lane.” She stated.
“Well, I thank you.” I replied, a smile coming across her face.
“I know Her Majesty can come across as… quite mean, but she really does mean good, she just has her unique way of displaying it. If any problems arise, please, come to me. I’m always willing to act as a middle ground between you two.” She calmly stated, seating herself down next to me on the bed.
“Why, do you think I don’t like Queen Lizzie?” I ask, Hood letting out a little giggle.
“You know, I’ve been to Australia before, right? I’ve spent enough time there to know that you won’t like her attitude.” She confidently replied, a smile coming across her face as she continued. “Afterall, I’ve learnt a lot about Australian culture.” I snorted in response.
“Like what?”
I asked, a snarky look invading my face. It quickly fades with what Hood says next. With the most British accent I’ve ever heard, she says:
“You know, I’ve been called a ‘sick cunt’ before.” She calmly states, as I begin to lose my shit, laughing my head off. There is something funny about a British Royal saying in a very posh voice, the word 'cunt'. She giggles slightly, then continues, “Let me tell you, it was quite the shock to hear it, however once I learnt about Australian slang, I realised that I was being complimented, not ridiculed.”
“Someone actually called you that?” I mustered out between giggles, still laughing from the absurd nature of the situation. “Whoever that was, mate, he had guts.” I quickly add, as Hood laughs.
“Indeed.” She replied, giggling to herself as well.
As we both were laughing, another knock came at the door. I get up, still laughing at the absurdity of it, before twisting the door handle, coming face to face with Howe and George, the former carrying a tray of delicious looking biscuits, and the latter carrying a tray of Chicken Parmigiana, my favourite dish. A surprised look comes across my face.
“Good evening, admiral. Howe and I thought we’d give you a proper welcome, so we decided to bring something to eat at yours.” George said with a smile on her face, walking past me to place both trays on the dinner table. I give my thanks, before asking, “So, is anyone else from the George-class coming?” .
“Unfortunately, both Wales and York have both been called for patrol duty up near Scapa Flow. They won’t be joining us tonight.” She stated, looking over at Hood before adding, “At least we have Hood…?” She curiously asks.
“I’d be more than happy to have dinner to welcome the admiral.” She replied, giving me a smile as she looked at me. Jesus, I thought, How many welcomes am I going to get?
I sit down at the table, with everyone else joining me. Almost like a re-enactment of the earlier tea party, we feast together, and talk about our different countries and cultures. Overall, some annoyed stares from George (mainly because I promised I wouldn’t teach any Royal Navy officer about Australia’s more crude culture, which I’d broke of fucking course), and some shocked expressions passed throughout the night, but I’m sure everyone enjoyed themselves.
As the night passed, one by one, everyone left to go to sleep, leaving me alone in my room, leaving me to lie on the bed again, thinking about today. I remember that, earlier in the day, Queen Lizzie told me that she’d be introducing me to the other factions within the alliance, and that tomorrow was going to be a big day. I decided to shut my eyes, readying myself for tomorrow.
I hope that it is going to be a good day.
- The Next Day -
I practically threw myself off the bed as my morning alarm went off, WAY too excited for today. As I got up, I put some bread into the toaster, starting it as I made myself a coffee. I really didn’t need one, considering I had enough energy as is, but I thought I’d have one for the fun of it. I’m just that kind of bloke, ya know?
After having a small breakfast, I then moved to put on my work clothes, the Naval officer suit looking absolutely stunning as I pulled it out of the wardrobe. On me however? Not so stunning. After I had fully prepared myself for the day, I began to head out, closing the door to my room and locking it. Walking down the hall, I pass by one of the maids cleaning the floors, deciding not to interrupt her whilst she works. I make my way downstairs, and into the foyer, walking up to George. A smile crosses her face as she looks at my suit.
“Looks good on you.” She comments, looking between my eyes and the suit.
“Thanks. Now then, let’s get goin’.” I say, George nodding her head as we leave the main building. Walking around for a bit, my eyes are introduced to new sights, such as the Naval repair yard, once used for the repair of warships, but now has been refitted for repairs on KANSEN rigging, and a bay of warships, I’m guessing the riggings of some of the KANSEN here today. Eventually, we make it to a courtyard, a pavilion standing in the middle. Sitting at the table under it was Queen Elizabeth and Warspite, as well as new figures that I was unfamiliar with. I make my way there, as one of the figures moves from their seat to greet me.
Standing up straight, her black cape drooping down behind her, with her Naval officer’s cap sitting tightly on her head. She clears her voice.
“Guten tag, Admiral Price. I am Bismarck, it is a pleasure to meet you.” She said in a clear voice, her hand extended out for a handshake. I responded in kind, shaking her hand.
“Nice to meet ya too.” I reply, shaking her hand as we both sit down at the table, with Queen Elizabeth relaxing in her chair. I suppose she was concerned about what I’d say when meeting the other factions.
Across the table from where I was seated was a lady with a bible in one hand, with Christian imagery all over her uniform. I was absolutely stumped for who this could be. Thankfully, she introduced herself.
“Bonjour, Amiral. My name is Richelieu, a Battleship of the Iris Orthodoxy. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Azur Lane.” She greets with metaphorical open arms. I shake her hand, as I ask Queen Elizabeth a question.
“So, are there any other factions?” I ask calmly. Queen Elizabeth pauses for a moment, taking a while to take a sip of her tea, before replying.
“Yes. Some nations’ KANSEN are still getting ready, so we are waiting on Vichy Dominion, Sardegna Empire, Sakura Empire and Eagle Union representatives. As well as Shadow’s representatives.” Her final statement confused me a little.
“Sorry, whose representatives?” I ask, Queen Elizabeth clearly annoyed at the question.
“Shadow Company? You know, the faction of KANSEN from Australia? How have you not heard of them, are you thick-headed or something?” She prodded, annoyed at my question. Well, your Majesty, I apologise for not understanding the Azur Lane Factions all that well.
“Just didn’t recognise the name is all. We probably call ‘em somethin’ different back home.” I calmly reply, trying not to provoke a fight between the flagship of the Royal Navy and I. She relaxes a bit, clearly still annoyed at my question. George, like always, speaks up for her Majesty.
“We apologise, Aethelstan, Her Majesty didn’t mean to offend. She’s just been a bit stressed from her workload recently, as you can imagine.” George offered up an excuse. I mean, I wasn’t going to argue back, so I just accepted George’s explanation with a simple nod and smile. Eventually, one by one the flagships of each nation began to arrive, all the major powers at least. First came the Eagle Union, with the loudest of them all.
“Everyone, prepare yourselves for the Indomitable Black Dragon! Hehe~” Just then, something grabbed my shoulders, as I felt something rest on the back of my neck. To my left, a head pops up and looks me in the eyes, before smiling.
“Hehe~ You must be the new admiral. Welcome! I am Battleship New Jersey, here to welcome you! Afterall, don’tcha just love big and loud intros?” She exclaimed in a boisterous voice. Oh just great, I thought to myself, New Jersey taking her hands off my shoulder and sitting down next to the other Eagle Union representative, a white haired girl with a naval cap on her head, reminding me a bit of Bismarck. In a more reserved voice than New Jersey, she speaks up.
“Welcome Admiral Price, We’ve heard lots about you.” I don’t like the fact that that remark was made by an American KANSEN. Too sketchy. “I’m the United States Navy carrier, U.S.S Enterprise. It truly is an honour to meet you.” She extends her arm out, waiting for a handshake. As I greet Enterprise, three more delegations arrive in quick succession.
“You have arrived at last. Long, eternal, has this one’s wait been.” The Sakura-ian carrier proclaimed, reaching her hand out and shaking my own. “I am Shinano, aircraft carrier of the Sakura Empire. Greetings, and shall this one help in your endeavours, be they now or in the future.” In a sense, she kind of reminded me of Duke of York. Not the same, of course, but the weird, almost dreamlike speech pattern was incredibly hard to understand, yet easy to understand at the same time. It was really weird.
As Shinano sat down, the Vichy delegation arrived, but she chose to ignore me. Alright then, I’ll go fuck myself I guess. Sitting down, far away from Richelieu, was a woman with a very stern appearance, her eyes looking around the pavilion quickly, almost like she was trying to find several different escape routes, all at once. It was obvious from her demeanour that she didn’t want to be entertained with small talk.
However, the next delegate was more than happy, what with her placing a hand on my shoulder.
“Finalmente, l'ammiraglio è arrivato!” She proudly proclaimed, holding a rose high into the air. I looked over my shoulder, watching as the green haired woman looked down at me with her red eyes, an almost charmed feeling washed over me. Don’t tell me she’s the ports’ Casanova.
“Rejoice, ammiraglio! For you have gained the attention of the Mediterranean's mightiest Battleship, Littorio, a feat many have failed at! But more importantly for the immediate moment, australiano…” She moved her head closer to me, offering her beautiful red rose, before adding, “Let’s put a smile on that cute face of yours~” She winked as I took the flower, feeling slightly uncomfortable, but weirdly charmed at the same time. The figure behind her, annoyed at Littorio’s act.
“Devi infastidire il povero ammiraglio, Littorio?” The silver-haired woman asked with annoyance in her voice. Taking a second to chastise her sister in her native language, she then turned her head to face me, greeting me with a smile before offering a handshake.
“I apologise about my sister, ammiraglio. She can be a loose cannon sometimes.” She stated.
“It’s fine, I’ll get used to it.” I smile back, the silver-haired beauty relaxing her shoulders before sitting down at the table with the rest of the delegates.
“That is good to hear, ammiraglio. It is a pleasure to finally meet you after your long and arduous journey. I am Vittorio Veneto, Eternal Flagship of the Sardegna Empire. I hope for the sake of peace throughout the world, that all nations can work together, in harmony.” She stated. I smiled at the response.
“Me too, Veneto.” I replied, just as another figure came and stood over me, looking down upon me with the happiest shocked face I’ve ever seen. After a second of looking at me, she loudly proclaims,
“Holy Moly, it’s another Aussie!”